=== Alcryst & Lapis ===
--- C ---



[Alcryst]
I vow to protect you, Lapis.
[Lapis]
Prince Alcryst? What are you talking about?
[Alcryst]
You kept me safe during battle the other day.
[Lapis]
Of course I did. I'm your retainer. It's my duty
to keep you safe.
[Alcryst]
Yes, but I don't deserve it. I'm useless, but your
character and skills have real value.
[Alcryst]
That's why, from now on, I vow to protect
you in battle, Lapis!
[Lapis]
Wh─
[Alcryst]
But then, I suppose those words are hollow
coming from someone as unreliable as me.
[Lapis]
That makes three.
[Alcryst]
What?
[Lapis]
This is the third time you've vowed to protect
me like this, Prince Alcryst.
[Alcryst]
Oh. Yes. Now that you mention it, I do recall
saying it...just after we met.
[Alcryst]
And then again at the Grand Crossing, if I'm
recalling correctly.
[Lapis]
That's right. Hearing you say those words,
it made me...
[Lapis]
...
[Lapis]
Please stop trying to switch our duties like this.
I'm just a retainer. You're a prince.
[Alcryst]
I─ I'm sorry. I'm just being honest about how
I see things.
[Lapis]
No, I know that.
[Lapis]
But I don't think many retainers would be OK
with their master taking a hit for them.
[Alcryst]
I...apologize.
[Lapis]
Oh, please don't take it hard. I know how you
meant it. I appreciate the thought...OK?
[Alcryst]
Yes...of course.
--- B ---



[Alcryst]
Lapis? I want to apologize for making that vow
the other day.
[Lapis]
Oh, but, Prince Alcryst. Please don't worry
about it.
[Lapis]
I should apologize for trying to tell you what
you're allowed to say.
[Alcryst]
You did nothing wrong.
[Alcryst]
It was my mistake. I didn't consider how my
words would make you feel.
[Alcryst]
However...there is one thing I'll stand by.
[Alcryst]
I really do think that you're an amazing
person, Lapis.
[Lapis]
That's not... I'm really not that amazing.
[Alcryst]
You are. I know that you are.
[Alcryst]
I know that you always send part of your pay
back home to support your family.
[Alcryst]
I also know you spend your free time subduing
dangerous beasts that enter the area.
[Lapis]
How did you...find out about...
[Alcryst]
You're so much more valuable to this world
than I am, Lapis.
[Alcryst]
That's why I─
[Lapis]
That's why you keep saying that you should be
protecting me.
[Lapis]
Oh...
[Lapis]
Prince Alcryst... You have no idea...
[Lapis]
It breaks my heart to hear you talk like this.
[Lapis]
I'm sorry... I have to go.
[Lapis]

[Alcryst]
Wow... I really am useless.
[Alcryst]
I can't even let a close retainer know how much
I appreciate her without upsetting her...
[Alcryst]
I'm unfit to be anyone's master.
[Alcryst]
...
--- A ---


[Lapis]
I vow to protect you, Prince Alcryst!
[Alcryst]
Lapis?
[Lapis]
Like I keep saying, I'm your retainer. Protecting
you is my job.
[Lapis]
But I'm not doing this because I have to.
[Lapis]
I want to protect you.
[Alcryst]
Why in the world would you want to protect
me? I'm not worth it.
[Lapis]
That! That right there. That's what I'm talking
about when I say that you have no idea.
[Alcryst]
You said that last time─that I had no idea how
you felt.
[Lapis]
It's not about my feelings, Prince Alcryst.
You have no idea how great you really are.
[Alcryst]
How...great I am?
[Lapis]
You're so, so perceptive. You always know so
much about other people.
[Lapis]
Yet you choose to focus on each person's best
qualities. You find skills no one else notices.
[Lapis]
I can't even count all the times you've lifted me
up by reminding me what I'm good at.
[Alcryst]
It's easy to notice those things when everyone
else is more skilled than I am. Drastically so.
[Lapis]
No, that's not true. It's because you're a kind
person, Prince Alcryst.
[Lapis]
You're skilled and kind and so charming...
[Lapis]
Yet you'd throw your life away to keep others
safe─even the retainers who protect you.
[Lapis]
Do you really think that's supposed to make
me happy?
[Alcryst]
Oh...
[Alcryst]
In that case...what if we form an alliance
of protection?
[Lapis]
What does that mean?
[Alcryst]
It means I will vow to protect you...and accept
your protection of me. And you'll do the same.
[Alcryst]
That way, we both protect someone we care for
and accept that we are cared for in return.
[Lapis]
Heh, much better. You finally sound like the
kind prince that you are. Count me in.
[Alcryst]
I'm glad to hear it. Let's try this again, but
together this time.
[Alcryst]
I vow to protect you, Lapis.
[Lapis]
And I vow to protect you, Prince Alcryst.
[Alcryst]
Thank you...and I accept.
--- S ---